Jerrod
Heard has established himself as one of the top high school quarterbacks in the
country over the course of more than a year, leading Guyer to a state title and
earning all-state honors.

The
“Golden Ticket” he received this weekend from organizers of the Elite 11
quarterback camps only further validates his status.

That ticket secured Heard a spot in the finals of the Elite 11
quarterback camp series that will be held from June 30 to July 3 on the Nike
campus in Beaverton, Ore. This year’s finals will be held in conjunction with
“The Opening,” a camp that will feature 150 of the top high school players in
the country.

Heard
secured his spot with a standout performance during his junior season and in
the Elite 11 regional camp at the Cowboys’ Irving practice facility in April.

Heard was
a perfect example of a dual-threat quarterback last season, rushing for 2,164
yards and 35 touchdowns and throwing for 2,115 yards and 18 touchdowns in 16
games.

“Jerrod
has the big-time arm, is extremely accurate, and his athletic ability and
running ability are second to none,” Guyer head coach John Walsh said. “His
attitude and leadership traits are also off the charts.”

Heard
committed to Texas in August before embarking on a magical junior season he
capped by accounting for seven touchdowns to lead Guyer back from a 16-point
deficit in a 48-37 win over Georgetown in the Class 4A Division I state title
game.

Walsh
said that participating in the Elite 11 finals would be another key step in
Heard’s growth as a player, just as it was for his son, J.W. Walsh, who also
participated in the finals before his senior season at Guyer 2010.

J.W.
Walsh is now at Oklahoma State and was named the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of
the Year last season.

Former
NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer works at the camp and
brings in several college quarterbacks to tutor campers. John Walsh said
hearing former TCU and current Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton speak
at the camp made an impact on his son.

“When
J.W. went, it was extremely educational,” John Walsh said. “You definitely
improve your skills. It wasn’t a vacation. When you put yourself among the
elite, your confidence rises.”

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870 or
via Twitter at @brettvito.

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